BaL 18.06.16 - Mahler: Symphony no. 5

[gradus]

I think Abbado was only heard once at the very beginning of the programme then, imv inexplicably, sank without trace. Best performance I ever heard was by him and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester at the Proms in 1991. R3 probably still has the recording - unfortunately I've mislaid mine.
I enjoyed the BAL - a daunting task given the vast number of recordings - and agree that the Leinsdorf/Walter approach to the slow movt is much to be preferred to others' mawkish efforts.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

and have no great wish to see the film again - I vaguely remember thinking, "Just get on with it!" as we were treated to yet another lingering shot of Dirk Bogarde about to shuffle off that mortal coil).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwOFmmialsM

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

No mention of Karajan?

I think he was "dealt with" second or third - favourably, it seemed, then forgotten about (rather like the Abaddo/BPO that started the programme).

My favourites that seem to have fared differently are; Karajan BPO, Bernstein VPO & NYPO, Gerviev LSO, Barshai German Youth Orchestra and Barbirolli (my first M5 CD, so sentimental reasons as much as anything else).

Good selection there - the only one I don't know is the Gergiev, which impressed me this morning. Personally, I'd add Boulez (I have two versions - Live with the BBCSO in the '70s and the DG) to the list.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There was a joke? Weddings and funerals are pretty much the same anyway. In both cases you are bidding someone off into the unknown.

That was the "joke", aktcherly.

[EdgeleyRob]

There was a joke? Weddings and funerals are pretty much the same anyway. In both cases you are bidding someone off into the unknown.

There's one less drunk at a funeral.
Anyway, is the winner the one in DG Bernstein Mahler box ? If so I have it,will listen later.
Ages since I listened to any GM.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... is the winner the one in DG Bernstein Mahler box ?

If so I have it,will listen later.

En - as they say - joy

[jonfan]

I really must try and get over my aversion to Bernstein and give him a fair hearing. The music seems to be about him and not at the service of the composer IMO. I was glad the Simon Bolivar got a good mention; I always enjoy their youthful, bouyant approach though Gramophone gave a big thumbs down when it first came out. I was brought up on Barbirolli like many on this thread and have a soft spot for it. I'm glad I kept a copy of the 2012 Proms performance by the Pittsburgh Orchestra and Honeck - my favourite at the moment.

[Beef Oven!]

I think he was "dealt with" second or third - favourably, it seemed, then forgotten about (rather like the Abaddo/BPO that started the programme).


Good selection there - the only one I don't know is the Gergiev, which impressed me this morning. Personally, I'd add Boulez (I have two versions - Live with the BBCSO in the '70s and the DG) to the list.

Good grief! How did I leave off my beloved Pierre Boulez!!!!??

I will add the DG Boulez VPO without further delay!

[Bryn]

Good grief! How did I leave off my beloved Pierre Boulez!!!!??

I will add the DG Boulez VPO without further delay!

How very confusing. By "my beloved Boulez", I naturally assumed you to be referring to the BBCSO Proms performance to be found occasionally on quasi-bootleg Italian CDs.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

How very confusing. By "my beloved Boulez", I naturally assumed you to be referring to the BBCSO Proms performance to be found occasionally on quasi-bootleg Italian CDs.

Both beloved here.

[Alison]

Anybody heard anything composed by William Mival?

[Bryn]

Both beloved here.

The Proms recording is extra- special for me, 'cos I woz there, as I was for his First Night of the Proms performance of the 8th.

[Nimrod]

I was only partially surprised at the omission of any reference to Barbirolli's EMI performance. Radio 3 seems to often have a blind spot when it comes to playing his recordings. But having bought my first fifth on RCA with Leinsdorf and then bought the Barbirolli and heard how Mahler should be done ( granted the last movement is a bit on the slow side) I'm puzzled like many of you that he didn't get any air time. Not least because his interpretation of the Adagietto strikes me as head and shoulders above those that were played. He was able to instill a fluidity coupled with an emotional pull that seems to elude most conductors. His performance strikes me as seamless; it was probably done in a single take. Others have commented on some of the minor orchestral flaws in this recording; JB's interpretations were not always immune from this but he was known to be dismissive of such things when he believed the players were giving their all.
I have an off-the-air Studio performance by JB and the Halle the movement timings of which are somewhat faster than his EMI recording; the overall time is no less than 9 minutes faster!! It's very exciting!!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Others have commented on some of the minor orchestral flaws in this recording; JB's interpretations were not always immune from this but he was known to be dismissive of such things when he believed the players were giving their all.

The omission of the Horn solo is far from a "minor orchestral flaw", though, isn't it? I have the "corrected" version on EMI STUDIO, and find it baffling how nobody noticed such a glaring error at the time!

Interested to hear about the broadcast performance

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Anybody heard anything composed by William Mival?

I didn't like to ask ...